Las Vegas will host UFC 317 this Saturday, an event marking a pivotal moment in Ilia Topuria’s career as he steps into the spotlight during International Fight Week. Topuria, a Georgian-Spanish fighter and former featherweight champion, relinquished his 145-pound title to pursue the lightweight crown, setting up a matchup against Charles Oliveira, who is competing for the vacant lightweight belt after Islam Makhachev vacated the 155-pound title to pursue welterweight gold.
Topuria’s Perspective on the Stakes and His Opponent
Despite the significance, Topuria appeared composed during Wednesday’s media day when asked if this was his biggest fight yet.
“I don’t know what to tell you,”
he said to media including Cageside Press.
“It feels exactly the same to be honest.”
He added,
“Or maybe it’s because it’s the same,”
reflecting a calm confidence about competing on big stages.
Looking beyond this fight, Topuria expressed his ambition to face Islam Makhachev if the Dagestani claims the welterweight title held by Jack Della Maddalena.
“It would be much better for me to fight him at 170. And I will beat him, and get the third title. That will be the best scenario for me,”
he stated, signaling a desire to become a three-division champion.
Views on Charles Oliveira and Lightweight Contenders
Topuria acknowledged other fighters like Paddy Pimblett and Arman Tsarukyan as contenders but firmly believes Oliveira deserves the lightweight title shot.
“A hundred percent. He’s the best lightweight right now,”
Topuria told Cageside Press.
“If we don’t count Islam, he’s the best after him.”
Oliveira, known as Do Bronx, intends to press forward aggressively at UFC 317, but Topuria remains unfazed:
“He’s going to try to walk forward, he’s not going to find a way to do it,”
Topuria said.
“And I’m going to make him play my game, as I said.”
Topuria’s Striking Approach and Technical Preferences
Despite being an explosive striker known as El Matador, Topuria revealed a notable gap in his arsenal—he has never utilized body or head kicks in the octagon.
“The kicks never was a quality that I ever had as a fighter,”
he admitted.
“So I don’t know. I never liked the body kicks and the head kicks.”
What This Fight Means for Topuria and UFC
UFC 317 represents an opportunity for Ilia Topuria to solidify his status as a rising star while chasing unprecedented success across multiple divisions. Defeating Oliveira could set the stage for a monumental clash with Islam Makhachev at welterweight, where Topuria aims to claim an elusive third title. As the event unfolds during International Fight Week in Las Vegas, fans and analysts will keenly observe how this Georgian-Spanish contender navigates one of the most significant fights of his career.